Rare in Montana, where it is currently known from only a small area in the south-central portion of the state. Current population levels and trends are undocumented, though populations likely fluctuate widely from year to year. Additional monitoring is needed.

General Description

Yellow Bee Plant is an annual herb with simple to branched stems that are 10-30 cm high. The leaves have long, 2-6 cm petioles and 3-5 narrowly lance-shaped, 2-6 cm long leaflets that are arranged like the fingers on a hand. Foliage is glabrous to sparsely hairy with a thin, pale, waxy coating. The yellow flowers are borne on 10-20 mm long, ascending stalks, and are densely clustered in a globular inflorescence that greatly expands as the fruit matures. Each flower is subtended by a green bract; the lowest flowers resemble leaves, while the uppermost are short and narrow. Flowers have a 4-lobed calyx and 4 separate petals that are 5-8 mm long. There are 6 stamens, which are greatly exserted beyond the petals. The pod-like capsules are 15-35 mm long and borne on arching stalks that are as long as the fruit.

This species is now being placed in the genus Peritoma in more recent classifications.

Phenology

Flowering in June-July; fruiting in July.

Diagnostic Characteristics

The palmately compound leaves and the yellow, 4-parted flowers with strongly exserted stamens distinguish this species from other species of Cleome; the latter in our area have pinkish flowers.